Amit Shah tells officials to drain rain water, prevent diseases

Union home minister Amit Shah told the Uttarakhand government on Thursday to clear the waterlogging in the flood-ravaged state on a war footing, immediately rush medical teams to all inundated areas and restore electricity to ensure regular drinking water supply to homes.

While appreciating the Pushkar Singh Dhami government for taking timely action, Shah directed state officials to plan in a manner so that there is no outbreak of any water-borne diseases and infections.

Earlier in the day, Shah did an aerial survey of the rain-hit areas for more than two hours. He was accompanied by Union minister of state for defence Ajay Bhatt, Governor Lt general (retd.) Gurmit Singh, CM Dhami and Rajya Sabha member Anil Baluni.


After the aerial survey, Shah held a high-level meeting with the central and state officials. "Shah emphasised on prevention of water-borne diseases in his interaction with the officials. He also underlined the need for immediate restoration of power in the rain-hit areas," an official, who was present at the meeting, told ET on condition of anonymity.

The home minister also sat through a presentation by officials on the action taken by the state based on the alerts given by the central authorities a day before the beginning of incessant rains.

Shah's focus on "bijali, sadak, pani" (power, roads, water) is also being seen in the context of the upcoming assembly election in the state.